Candesartan is an angiotensin II receptor antagonist indicated for the treatment of hypertension (high blood pressure). It works by blocking chemicals in the body that cause blood vessels to tighten. It also relaxes the blood vessels to help blood flow more freely throughout the body.
Candesartan is used alone or in combination with other medications in the treatment of high blood pressure. In some instances, it can be used to treat heart failure, as well. In one study, Candesartan was shown to lower both mortality and morbidity rates in congestive heart failure.
Some medical conditions may interfere with Candesartan treatment. Patients who are suffering from heart disease, kidney disorders, liver ailments or diabetes should let their doctor know before starting their medication. Patients should also inform their doctor know if they have any food, medicine, or substance allergies, and low blood or sodium levels.
Taking Candesartan during the first trimester of pregnancy can injure or even kill an unborn baby. Women who are pregnant, plan to get pregnant, or who get pregnant during the course of treatment must inform their doctor of their condition immediately. Doctors also advise patients to refrain from breastfeeding their infants during treatment, as Candesartan can pass into breast milk and harm the nursing infant.
Prior to any kind of surgery, patients should tell their doctor if they are taking Candesartan. If they are allergic to Candesartan and any of its ingredients, or are allergic to other drugs, they should let their doctor know, as well.
Taking Candesartan with diuretics or lithium may aggravate their side effects. ACE inhibitors like captopril and potassium-sparing diuretics can increase the potassium levels in the blood when taken together with Candesartan. It is important for patients to let their doctor know what kind of medications they are taking, whether prescription or over-the-counter drugs, or any vitamin, mineral or herbal supplement, before they start Candesartan therapy.
Patients taking Candasartan should refrain from driving or performing any activities that involve great amounts of risk. This is because the medication can cause dizziness. Intake of alcoholic beverages or taking medicines containing alcohol should be avoided as they can aggravate the symptoms of lightheadedness.
Within two weeks of treatment, patients will experience a marked decrease in their blood pressure levels. If other blood pressure medication is taken in tandem with Candesartan, they may also experience fatigue for the first few weeks after taking the drug.
Doctors may order regular laboratory testing, including monitoring of blood pressure levels, during Candesartan use. This is to determine whether the medication has taken effect, or if there are any adverse side effects to the drug.
The usual side effects of Candesartan may include dizziness, headaches, diarrhea, colds, sore throats, and other upper respiratory tract infections. However, if side effects occur which include rashes, hives, breathing difficulties, swelling of the facial areas, chest pain, fainting, fever and chills, irregular heartbeat, constant dizziness and jaundice, patients are advised to seek emergency medical care immediately.
Candesartan is a prodrug manufactured by AstraZeneca and Takeda Pharmaceuticals. It is available under the brands Blopress, Atacand, Atacan02, Amias and Ratacand. It comes in 4 mg. round white tablets, and 8, 16 and 32 mg. round pink tablets.
Candesartan should be taken according to the doctor's prescription, once or twice a day, with or without meals. While Candesartan can control hypertension, it cannot totally eliminate it. It is a maintenance medication that should be taken regularly, and patients are advised not to stop taking this medicine without first consulting their doctor.
Candesartan has the following structural formula:
• Molecular formula of candesartan is C24H20N6O3
• Chemical IUPAC Name is 2-ethoxy-3-[[4-[2-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)phenyl]phenyl]methyl]-3H-benzoimidazole-4-carboxylicacid
• Molecular weight is 440.454 g/mol
• Candesartan available : 4mg tablets, 8mg tablets, 16mg tablets, 32mg tablets
Brand name(s): Atacand, Atacand Plus, Blopress
Review published on: 10 March 2008
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